March 2011

March 28, 2011

As I'm starting to find out this photography project isn't as simple as I thought it would be. Which I believe is the point of the exercise, if I really want to do this well I have to: work at it! Ah, there's a topic we could spend some time on...

This weeks theme, texture. Right away I started thinking of texture on food. Mostly because of Presley and her not liking certain food textures, "it feels yucky". So I photographed sea salt, garlic powder, cinnamon, black pepper and baking soda. I wasn't really loving it, I really needed a macro lens. So I kept on snapping photo of textures in my home.

I kept brain storming on "textures"... And I use a lot of textures layered in photoshop on my photos. This got me thinking and it's how I came up with my photo. It's a little more abstract and I'm happy with it. Or more accurately put them, I like the top two the best!

March 24, 2011

I've been seeing and hearing a lot about paddle boarding. I've heard it is a great core workout as well as a great way to cruise the ocean. Living in Arizona we don't get a lot of chances to paddle board. So I've improvised!

I was telling a friend about my plans to buy a long board and he loaned me his. So today I played around with the board and my HD video camera. I have also been wanting to learn how to use the video function on my camera. It's a amazing function but I know it's going to open not only new opportunities but a new set of expensive "I want or I needs". But it's so great I can't not figure out how to use it!

I'm pretty excited about the board, the video and the fact that the cane I'm using for my paddle is my late grandfather Andy's. I adored him, his gentle kisses and whispers of I love you... I was lucky enough to get his cane and have had it in my home since his passing. He didn't need a cane other then the fact he was jumped twice while going out for walks (growl)... I've kept his cane safe and untouched but always visible in my home. I thought this activity would be a fun way to use his cane and it helped me feel close to him again.

It's my plan to use the long board as a paddle board here in my neighborhood of downtown Tempe. As of now I won't ride with Presley but that is my ultimate goal. It would be a fun way to cruise with her and the extra 35 lbs. could only add to the workout!

Today I went to open gym at Core Crossfit and did a little workout on my own. I did some rowing (I love & hate it) and then did some work to help with my lower back issues. I found out in short, I have a weak rear end this is leading to some lower back strain and pain. Another reason to do more squats... My brother Tommy (and coach) gave me a few drills to help. Then I did my usual after workout routine.

I do some ab work after every workout and maybe once a week do some hand stands. I love hand stands, I really feel my body asking me to do one. I started doing hand and shoulder stands in yoga. My instructor explained how important it was to help move all the toxins that settle in the bottom of your organs. It's also great for blood flow. Since my years of yoga, I will have this need to do a hand stand at least once weekly. It's also a calming state for me so that might be part of the desire...

I've gotten to a point that I can kick up and not use the wall. However the thought of moving away from the walk is scary. So for the first time since being at Core I put a goal on the wall. I want to have a hand stand down- no wall in two weeks. I don't know if the two weeks is a good timeline or not, I didn't ask anyone. I just know that I needed a goal date per S.M.A.R.T goal criteria.

So why is my "goal" a handstand no wall? When I was doing the hand stand and thought about moving away from the wall and got scared is what convinced me. I don't think it is any physical feat. It's more that for me I was scared and started to back away. And everything good that I've done in my life has happened when I've move past my fears. That moment of fear sealed it for me. Here we go!

March 22, 2011

I am so obsessed with these hair bands! A girlfriend (Hi Sarah!) brought these hair bands for me while she came for a visit from Hawaii. To know Sarah is to love her! She is an amazing giving woman, mother and friend *and* she has great style- she's after my heart. Anyway, so she brought these hair bands along with a few other local gifts from Hawaii (loved them all).

When I opened these hair bands part of me told me to hold on to the packaging, but I ignored that voice! These hair bands rock! So for any of you ladies who have long hair you must all struggle with hair band that break, not holding or just not strong enough. These little suckers are amazing! They are a thin long rubber strand. Now you can cut them into smaller pieces great for thinner hair I assume. Or just tie the single band together, which is what I did.

These won't break on you! I love it! They are soo strong and really grab your hair. Not only that but I wear them on my wrist all the time and they look like a simple bracelet. I had notice Sarah wearing them before, I just thought they were a bracelet...

So being that I'm obsessed I went online trying to find these- I CAN'T! They are from Japan and Sarah has only seen them in Hawaii (not on the main land). The packaging was very simple and had japanese writing. So since I can't direct you were to buy these, I'm sorry but I *had* to blog about them. I love the fact that this simple design is the answer to those freaking bands that always break at the wrong time... If any of you are able to find these online, please share. Until then, anyone going to Hawaii keep me in mind!

March 20, 2011

To visit my photog friends blog click here. This will take you to her page and then click on her blog. She will link you to another photog until you come full circle back to me. If the plan works!

This weeks project was reflection, I was pretty excited for this one. I had taken a reflection self portrait a few years ago while on vacation in Spain. I really liked the way it came out and wanted to recreate it. I jumped on my bike and headed to Mill Ave.

While on my bike I decided I wanted Wally in the photo too (my bike). Wally is a bike I bought on Craigslist for $65. and I love it! The guy I bought it from was named Wally and he would sign his text messages, W@l!y. It seemed like a good name for my bike. I call it my big boy bike, it's a man's bike and a little too big for me. I'd like to get a three wheeler so I can ride with Presley (I'm afraid to fall with her now). So for now it's just me a Wally!

Downtown Tempe is the most bike friendly place in the Valley. This time of year I spend as much time riding in the neighborhood as possible. I run into many more people then if I were driving and really enjoy my neighborhood by bike. Presley loves to be on the bikes and it's usually a calming way to end the day...

OK so back to the photos! I had a lot of fun riding around looking for reflections. I had hoped to get a reflection of the clouds on a building, but clear blue skies prevented that... I liked the photo of the lake, the water was very calm on that side so the reflection was very nice... I still like my Spain portrait the best, but hey it's Spain!

March 19, 2011

This week wind was our theme. Presley is home from school so I had her be my assistant (she loved it). I had tried the same photo with dandelions which I've done before but I wasn't getting the photo I wanted. So we switched it up to flowers while on a walk. I still would have liked to work on the photo a little more, but my assistant had other plans... The photo isn't super dynamic but it was a fun time sitting with Presley in the grass picking flowers. So I have to say the experience means more to me then the photo does!

So I've gotten a few weeks behind in my 52 week project. I'm a little bummed but I'm planning on being caught up by this weekend!... This photo is week 6, blue. I guess the sky is an obvious choice for this project. But when you live in Arizona this time of year the sunny blue skies really put a pep in your step. This time of year is the time to enjoy the outdoors, a spring training game, meals morning noon and night on a patio and plenty of company.

On this day I was sitting on a patio on Mill Ave in Tempe. As I looked at my surroundings all I that really stood out was the beautiful blue sky above. I've in the past few weeks taken several sky photos, it's just so beautiful.

March 16, 2011

Holy smokes I've had some fun sessions this week! It's day three of Spring Break and I'm three sessions in. Thank goodness I love my work, my clients and my camera. I was so lucky to photograph two sweet girls today.

Lil' Miss Mia was the first session of the day. I first photographed her as a newborn, that was a fun session. I can't believe it's already been a year! I'm glad I was apart of marking this first year for her family. She's totally adorable and I'm jealous that her Mom is able to get bows in her hair...

My second session was with my sweet niece, she is 5 months old today. We had planned a different photo (her awake) and as I was grabbing the props, she fell asleep (in my arms- sigh). So next thing you know we have this lovely sleeping cherub angel. I love one the photo but wish I could of gotten proof of her beautiful blue eyes. I was wishing for them. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to do just that.

March 15, 2011

Today we had a lil' tea party for Cam's first birthday! I was lucky enough to photograph her as a newborn and loved the chance to photograph her again. She is obviously so adorable, walking, talking and enjoying exploring all the things around her. She has the most delicate features and such a sweet demeanor that just makes her so kissable!

We had thought to add Presley in the tea party but she wasn't very interested. So as I was snapping away she walked over to our car. Both Stephanie and I tried to get her to join us, she said, she'd be a minute. Then the next thing we know she comes walking over in Mommy's shoes (they were in the car). We were both shocked on how well she walked in them!

I quickly snapped as many photos as I could imagining she would hop out of them quickly, not the case. I had to finally talk her out of them (um, those are Mommy's expensive heels). But not before she came back from the car with my glasses on! She is totally a girly girl which I have to admit is exciting for me. I don't imagine she'll have shoes like this anytime soon. And if she takes after Daddy she'll have no need for the extra height.

March 13, 2011

This weekend I competed in a Super Spartan Race with a high school running partner. The race was a 8+mile run with obstacles. Some of those obstacles were, jumping over fire, crawling under barb wire in mud, climbing 10ft wall, pulling and pushing 80-100lbs weights and fighting pass gladiators to name a few of the 16 obstacles. I knew the fire had to be safe, but it was still scary to think about.

Since August I have been doing my Crossfit workouts at Core Crossfit. We do short, high intensity workouts, I had not run 8 miles in several years. When I decided to do the race my only intention was to complete the race, I didn't care how long it took me. As the race got closer I started to wonder if I was blissfully unaware of what I signed up for.

The Monday before the race I went on a 6 mile run. I stopped every half mile and did air squats, push ups or sit ups (to get me ready for obstacles). I felt really good and more confident in my fitness level. I was very excited for the race and now only worried about being hit by one of the gladiators at the finish line...

As we started the race we pretty quickly got into a good running pace. We waited for each at each obstacle and cheered each other on. At mile four we both felt really good and proud of our speed. It was at that obstacle that we were forced to wait about 20 minutes or so due to a back log of competitors. We were required to pull these weights on ropes. I was told they weight both 80 and 100 lbs. I don't know what is true but either way- they were heavy. It was at this obstacle that I got hot, a little light headed waiting in the sun (it was not a water station site) and I hadn't even done the pull yet. After this obstacle with my legs burning I had a moment of doubt.

My legs felt like jello my mouth was so dry and I really questioned if I could run another 4 miles with obstacles. But once again we started running and got a steady pace and within about a half mile I felt amazing. I remember thinking that this particular challenge really proven to me I am capable of doing much more if I keep pushing through my doubts/fear.

The next challenging obstacle was a 10 ft wall with one little block nailed to the wall to jump on to help get you over. On this obstacle they gave you a chance to do it and if you failed you did a penalty of 30 sit ups. My negative mind frame (I'm too short to ever get over that wall) was in full force (bad habits). I asked if I could just go straight to penalty. I was told no, so I gave it a shot and I did it. Again I was right back on cloud nine!

The last two miles were hard, but I knew if we just kept moving as soon as we saw spectators we would get some energy from them. It was near the end my Bug, in pink with a pink balloon cheered me on... Then finally the gladiators posted as you cross the finish line. My most feared obstacle. There were four of them, two with padded clubs and two without clubs. I had decided before the race I would run right towards them so their hits would be more of a push then a hit because I was so close.

As I enter the gladiator arena (it's super small) I smiled and with my arms tucked in sheepishly race towards one of them. He gave me a little body check and push me through. Then the gladiator with the club did try to hit me but my strategy worked and it was just a push- relief...

My performance in the race really speaks to the Crossfit training and paleo diet! It's now a day after the race and I feel awesome. I'm so thankful that my gym, coaches, Tommy, Erica and the 5:30AM class continue to push me. In the past 7 months my body composition has changed, I've seen a drop in my weight and increase in muscle. I have a "before" photo of me taken when I started in August. I was half temped to share it today. But I think I'll wait for my year anniversary to do that. I still have some work to do!

I entered this competition thinking I would do it just once. Now I'm wondering if I want to travel to another location to do it again... The journey continues...